Cow Milk Superbug

Cow Milk Superbug, New variant of a known antibiotic-resistant superbug has been discovered in cows’ milk in the United Kingdom. However, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) – which is what is called superbug – is fairly common in hospitals in India, the new strain is genetically different and cannot be detected by traditional methods of assessment genetics.

The results reported in the June 3 edition of the British medical journal “The Lancet Infectious Diseases, shows that cattle are a reservoir of this new variant of MRSA infection in humans.

The study says, “The evidence suggests that there is a reservoir of bovine animals, of which this new variant of MRSA is transmitted to people.”

The authors, however, made clear that pasteurization of milk will prevent any risk of infection through the food chain, but individuals in close contact with livestock could be at increased risk of transport. “More research is needed to test this hypothesis,” he added.

MRSA infection is caused by a strain of bacteria resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat common infections. It is found throughout the world.

Professor of Medicine at AIIMS said Dr Randeep Guleria TOI, “MRSA is common in India, especially in the hospital. Because he is primarily in the ICU, surgery, mostly acquired in the hospital. No But it is more common in Europe and the USA. ”

He added: “However, we have seen for several years with community-acquired MRSA -. Patients infected with this strain resistant to antibiotics without reaching a hospital and tension usually found in ICUs is different from community-acquired MRSA study. Shows that MRSA variant of the former exists in the environment and the cows could be your tank. ”

The last paper of the University of Cambridge, said that this new variant is associated with clinical disease in humans, however, some existing test methods incorrectly identify this new variant as methicillin sensitive, when antibiotics can be prescribed incorrect. Dr. Mark A. Holmes, Department of veterinary medicine, University of Cambridge, conducted the study.

We show that cows can be an important reservoir of this new variant of MRSA infection in humans.

First, the isolates found in humans were of a strain thought to be unique to animals or other types of strain detected in cattle, but not in humans.

Second, none of the types of strains from lineages associated with previous human or MRSA infection.

Professor David Coleman of the University of Dublin, said, “The results of our study indicate that new types of MRSA that can colonize and infect humans emerging from animal reservoirs in Ireland and Europe. It is difficult to correctly identify as MRSA. This knowledge will allow us to quickly adapt existing genetic tests for MRSA, but also provided valuable information on the evolution and the origins of MRSA. “